Kent Station Through Platform
Project overview
Kent Station in Cork is an intercity and commuter station currently consisting of five station platforms. It serves intercity trains to and from Dublin and Tralee, and regional commuter services to and from Mallow, Midleton and Cobh.
Service operations at Kent Station are constrained by the lack of platforms which facilitate the through running of trains. Most services from Mallow, Midleton and Cobh currently terminate at Kent Station with passengers required to change service to continue an onward journey.
The Kent Station Through Platform project will introduce an additional dedicated through running platform to the station. The proposed through platform will allow commuter trains to travel through Kent Station from Mallow and onto Midleton or Cobh without terminating or requiring passengers to change service. This will mean a better service while offering operational flexibility and the opportunity to increase passenger capacity on the network.
This project is part of the first packages of work undertaken by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann to deliver the commuter rail vision set out in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) 2040.
Along with the completion of the Glounthaune to Midleton Twin Tracking, the Proposed Signalling and Communications upgrades and the delivery of a new fleet, the through platform at Kent Station will allow to facilitate a tripling of service frequency along the line. It also ensures a more reliable service for commuters and other rail users to and from the Cork.
What works are required?
The main element of the Kent Station Through Platform project is to construct a through running platform. These works will largely be contained within the existing railway corridor on Iarnród Éireann land and include the following elements:
- A 220m long, 6m wide, double sided extension to Platform 5. This will provide for the proposed new Platform 6 and allow ease of integration and connectivity to the existing station.
- A new retaining wall between the new track six and the depot area on the south side.
- Track reconfiguration to support future through running services and proposed service increases
- Reinstatement of the eastern access to the existing station subway from Platform 5
All works completed as part of the project will be compatible with future projects of the Cork Area Commuter Rail network.
While there will be some disruption to services during the construction period, this will be kept to a minimum.
What are the benefits?
As part of the wider Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, this project is a key element to facilitate:
- Operation of a higher frequency up to a 10-minute service from the current 30-minute service
- Direct services through Kent Station from Mallow and on to Midleton or Cobh without terminating and requiring passengers to change service
- Increased capacity, better connectivity, and enhanced reliability of the suburban rail network
Next steps
- The main construction contract has been awarded and construction commenced in October, 2023
- Gheobhaidh cónaitheoirí agus páirtithe leasmhara i gcomharsanacht Stáisiún Cheannt nuashonruithe rialta ó fhoireann tionscadail Iarnród Éireann. Tabharfar fógra dóibh roimh ré faoi aon oibreacha tógála nó oíche
Contact us
If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Community Liaison Officer, Garry Keegan who can be contacted on the project helpline 086-235-8913 or through email garry.keegan@irishrail.ie.
Project Funding
The project is funded by the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility, under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) has been developed by the Government so that Ireland can access funding under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. Ireland is expected to receive €988 million in grants under the Facility.
The Recovery and Resilience Facility is the largest component of NextGenerationEU, the European Union’s response to the global pandemic. The aim is to help repair the immediate economic and social damage brought about by the pandemic and to prepare for a post-Covid Europe that is greener, more digital, more resilient and fit to face the future.